MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

New Senior Magistrate takes up post.

New Senior Magistrate Clare Faulds arrived in the Falkland Islands last week and is settling into her new work place.

Mrs. Faulds is married with three sons; her husband is the Senior Editor of Manx official record (Hansard) and a non-stipendiary clergyman in the Church of England. Her eldest son (26) is a doctor in Sheffield, the second, aged 20 is studying art at Leeds College of Art and Design while the youngest at 13 is in school on the Isle of Man.

Mrs. Faulds qualified as an advocate in the Isle of Man in 1973 and was the first woman admitted to the Manx bar. She has worked in private practice for over 30 years and within the last 10 years has held several part-time judicial appointments such as deputy stipendiary magistrate, deputy coroner and acting high court judge. Mrs. Faulds has also chaired several statutory tribunals including Employment Tribunal and Data Protection Appeals Tribunal.

Mrs. Faulds said she saw the Senior Magistrate's post advertised in the law section of The Times, the breadth and variety of work appealed to her and she became fascinated by the prospect of working in another island community. She said, "I am no lover of city life and have no aspirations to be a specialist in a narrow field of law."

Mrs. Faulds explained that she read up a bit about the Falklands and the more she read the more she wanted to experience it for herself, adding, "I felt the time had come where I could take a less hands-on role as a mother so, here I am."

Interested in both animal and plant aspects of wildlife, Mrs. Faulds said, "Up to now bats have been my specialty, but I am hoping to get out and about to learn more of the birds and marine life in the Falklands.

"I am also interested in history, cookery and gardening but for periods of inclement weather I have brought my books on ecclesiastical law with me as I am studying for a master's degree in Canon Law at Cardiff University."

Mrs. Faulds said she finds the Falkland Islands have many similarities with Isle of Man, adding, "...so far it seems like home from home.

"I feel that the Isle of Man has more in common with the Falkland Islands than it has with UK."

Mrs. Faulds said, "I have experienced a lovely welcome from friendly people in a very special place that I am sure will grow more special to me as time goes on.

"I am also looking forward to introducing my husband and younger sons to the wonders of the Falkland Islands when they come down for three weeks at Christmas." (PN).-